After hitting the winning runs versus Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday, Alex Hughes spoke of the players’ satisfaction at defeating a strong side in front of a sell-out crowd at Queen’s Park.
Needing 17 runs to win with three overs remaining, the all-rounder wasted little time hitting three boundaries in his unbeaten 19 to see his side over the line with seven balls to spare.
Hughes admitted that the squad were disappointed to get wins in close encounters with Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, but says to get the win over Yorkshire was an amazing feeling.
“We have been close the last couple of games,” Hughes said. “We just fell short so tonight it is so satisfying to get over the line against a quality team with a number of world-class players.
“For us to win tonight was an amazing feeling.
“There’s always nerves when you go out to bat but we have learnt from our last two games when we just came short. We were trying to finish it an over early and that’s what we did.”
Derbyshire restricted their visitors to 146-9 despite the short boundaries at Chesterfield and the inclusion of international players such as Glenn Maxwell and Jonny Bairstow in the Vikings’ line-up.
“We bowled really well,” Hughes added. “I think we could have even saved a few more in the field if we are totally honest but overall we were happy with 146 with the short boundaries.
“The Captain, Wes Durston, was superb at the front taking three wickets; that really put us in real pole position for the game.
“At the innings break, we aimed to be quite positive with the new ball and Wes and Hamish [Rutherford] have been doing that for the whole time we have been playing. They did that superbly and put a lot less pressure on us guys in the middle to try and finish it off.”
England’s Adil Rashid bowled economically in the middle overs of the Derbyshire chase but could not stop Hughes and his Falcons teammates from clinching victory.
“The boys at the top batted superbly and gave us a chance to play out Adil Rashid. He is a tough bowler to face on that wicket.
“I think against somebody like Rashid on a pitch like that which was spinning, it’s very tough to go higher than a-run-a-ball. We consolidated a bit and left it until the end.
“We have played some really good cricket in this competition. If things had gone our way in a couple of the other games then we might be in the mix to qualify.
“We are still learning as a team and we have shown great strides from last year to where we are now so overall we are getting there.”
The final game of Derbyshire’s NatWest T20 Blast campaign is Friday 17 July versus Worcestershire at The 3aaa County Ground and Hughes is determined to end the season with a fifth victory.
“We have Worcestershire on Friday. We want to pay them back for when we played at their place so hopefully we will finish with two big wins at the end of the competition.”
Derbyshire Falcons take on Worcestershire Rapids in the NatWest T20 Blast at The 3aaa County Ground on Friday 17 July; 7pm start. Buy your matchday tickets in advance & save £4!
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